Japan's white paper designates China as the “biggest strategic challenge,” and the Chinese side says it opposes this

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the Japanese government's labeling of China as the "greatest strategic challenge" in the new edition of its Defense White Paper, expressing strong dissatisfaction and having made solemn representations to the Japanese side. This statement was made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a press conference on August 5. Lin Jian pointed out that the Japanese white paper once again groundlessly stokes the socalled "China threat" and mentions Taiwan affairs, which constitutes a blatant interference in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side emphasized that China remains committed to the path of peaceful development and pursues a defensive national defense policy, and that its relevant military activities are legitimate and reasonable. In response to Japan's statements regarding longrange strike capabilities, military expansion, and the security situation in surrounding areas, Lin Jian said Japan should face up to history, draw lessons from it, stop looking for excuses to strengthen its military and expand its armaments, and avoid continuing down the wrong path.